Those who have been banished from the kingdom are never truly gone. The abilities that served them so well, still serve them. And, there are times when those skills are called upon by others.Rise of the Exiledby J&E Innovations is a one-on-one combat game for 2–12 players divided into two teams. Each side is set to do combat until there is only one side remaining, which in this case takes about five to ten minutes.
A couple of friends and I played Rise of the Exiled at SaltCon 2018, where the game qualified as a finalist in the Ion Awards for game design. From sitting down to learn the game to completing it took about 20 minutes. This took longer than it would probably if you were sitting down and playing at home because of the number of interruptions we had in the busy gaming hall.
GAME BASICS
You choose from over a dozen characters; each with a two-sided character card, a clear plastic weapons card, and a character reference card. Each of the characters has a different ability that can be used during the game and a personalized weapon.
The teams are on either side of the table and your character card is placed on the table. The only difference between the two sides of the character card is the delineation of the scoring areas where the character takes damage. One side clearly shows the body core and head sections to make scoring easier.
Once the cards are in place, the battle begins. Each round of battle takes place in two phases.
Battle Phase
All players toss their weapons cards at their opponent at the same time. The weapon card must be released before your hand goes beyond your character card. Your skill in targeting your opponent becomes crucial. If the weapon lands where it can do damage to your opponent, they take damage at the rate of where it would score the most. If they are hit in the arm and the head, only the head shot counts.
Damage is tracked on the character reference card and the second phase takes place.Movement Phase
After damage is scored, the remaining players have the option of moving their character card. You can move your card one card length. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but it’s only a tabletop, and remember your placement on the table determines where you can release your weapon from. The closer you are, the easier the attack (for both you and your opponent).
Character Abilities
Each of the characters in Rise of the Exiled has a special ability you can use during a game. Some have armor to protect them. Other have the ability to block out the sun, which means on the next battle phase their opponents toss their weapons with their eyes closed. Some have a special weapon with different damage scoring.
GAME DEVELOPMENT
Artwork and Designers
The artwork of the characters is wonderfully done. One of the designers, James Taylor was given credit for the graphics.
The other two designers are Jarom Higly and Brian Shaw.
With the ingenuity and simplicity of play for the game I expect they will come up with more ideas that will make it to our tables. You can join them on their Facebook page.
Playability
With the number of characters and the ease of setting up a game, Rise of the Exile has great replay-ability. With experienced players, which in this case means you’ve played, a game can easily be completed in less than ten minutes. Reset, by moving your character to a starting position, or placing a new character in the field. Then, play again.A Variant of Play
With a smaller number of players, two or four, we thought of a variant that could be used. Do a draft of the characters to create a gladiator stable. Then each side sets up pairings. This would be determining which of your characters matches up to your opponents. After the pairings are determined, let the games begin. Battles take place until one stable of gladiators is left.
This provides a little more strategy play between the sides during the drafting and pairing portions.
CURRENT ACTIVITY
At this time (03/11/18) Rise of the Exiled is on Kickstarter. It’s already funded and is pushing forward on the reach goals. I expect them to do well because of simplicity of the rules and interaction of the game. I also know the game picked up more followers at SaltCon and being recognized as finalists in the Ion Competition.
OVERALL
Rise of the Exiledby J&E Innovation is a great game to have on hand.
As a cabin game, Rise of the Exiled could easily be taken with when traveling and the aspect of tossing cards provides physical interaction. I watch younger players engaged and enjoying the fact they were able to throw something without getting in trouble.
As a filler game, the quick play means you can run through a game, or several, as you are waiting for the late arrivals. When they arrive the game will soon be over—probably before they are even settled in—and put away for the game night to begin.
The battle is complete. Your skills proved victorious over the other warrior brought to the field. You feel you may have earned your place back with the civilized people of your homeland, but for now you retreat back into the wasteland until your skills are called upon again. It is your fate for now, for you are part of the exiled.
If you have a comment, suggestion, or critique please leave a comment here or send an email to guildmastergaming@gmail.com.
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